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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.10031 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0034] October 1781 |
| Title | Return of ordnance & military stores taken at York & Gloucester in Virginia by the surrender of the British army |
| Date | 26 October 1781 |
| Author | Frothingham, Richard (1748-1819) |
| Document Type | Military document |
| Content Description | This is a copy, in the hand of Samuel Shaw, of a "Return of Ordnance & Military Stores Taken at York & Gloucester in Virginia by the Surrender of the British Army," which Washington enclosed in his letter to Congress of October 27-29, 1781. (See Papers of the Continental Congress, NARA M247, Item 152, Vol. 10, pp. 336+. Note that their copy appears to be missing the final page(s). An additional copy, transcribed by Congress, is in the Papers as well.) Based on the content of Washington's letter, an October 26th draft of which is in the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, this return was probably completed on October 26, 1781. Contains the copied signature of Richard Frothingham, field commissary of military stores. Lists brass ordnance, iron ordnance, cartridges, shot, shell, muskets, powder, trumpets, drums, pick axes, tomahawks, iron crow bars, and leather confiscated from the British after they surrendered at Yorktown. Among the items listed are a variety of flags: 18 German regimental standards, 6 British regimental standards, 4 British Union flags, 32 German camp colors and 41 British camp colors. The 24 captured regimental flags were presented to Congress by Colonel David Humphreys on November 3, 1781. At least one of the standards captured at Yorktown was given to Washington by Congress. That flag, and several others taken at Yorktown, are now in the artillery museum at West Point. (See GLC02437.00866, .01265 and .01274 for related documents.) A note at the bottom of last page indicates, "Mr. Price to take what he pleases from the laboratory- the remainder to be left." |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Muster Rolls and Returns Continental Army Artillery Ammunition Battle Battle (Siege, Surrender) of Yorktown Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Surrender Military Supplies Art, Music, Theater, and Film |
| People | Frothingham, Richard (1748-1819) Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) Humphreys, David (1752-1818) |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Ancestral records indicate a Richard Frothingham (1748-1819) who lived in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and worked as a coachmaker. This is possibly the same Frothingham who is referenced in various historical sources as wagonmaster of the army and field commissary of military stores. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Details on British standards (flags) captured at Yorktown Letter from David Humphreys to Henry Knox about forwarding ordnance Ordnance & stores directed to be sent up the Bay of Chesapeake |